WATSONVILLE -- Pajaro Valley school leaders are exploring using dogs to sniff out contraband on campuses.

No action will be taken Wednesday, but the owner of a canine detection company will pitch her services to the school board.

"I always want to say this is not a drug dog, but a school safety dog," said Julia Ford, owner of Proactive K-9's.

Ford, who employs Labrador and golden retrievers, said her dogs are friendly, and will "hug, kiss and roll over." But they've been trained to ferret out illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages and explosive materials, including gun powder. They'll also detect certain prescription drugs, such as Ritalin and oxycodone.

Trustee Jeff Ursino asked for the demonstration due to a concern that illegal drugs on campuses are affecting not only the users but students trying to concentrate on their studies. Providing a drug-free environment is a priority, he said.

"To be frank, we get the expulsion reports every other week and at least a third are due to marijuana use on campus," Ursino said. "If we bring dogs on campus, we're sending a strong message to people who want to bring illegal substances to school: We're not going to tolerate it at PVUSD."

Assistant Superintendent Murry Schekman, who oversees the district's middle and high schools, said he was familiar with Ford's services from his time as a high school principal and district administrator in the Salinas Union High School District.

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He declined to offer an opinion on what Pajaro Valley should do, saying that was up to trustees. He said in his experience the dogs were "fun" but had a powerful sense of smell.

"Surveys showed it served as a deterrent, but there was some evidence as time wore on kids got wise and were able to circumvent it," Schekman said.

He said he's been working to arrange the demonstration for at least two months and the timing had nothing to do with recent school shootings and a report on campus safety also scheduled for Wednesday's board meeting.

Ford will be bringing 10-year-old Jessie to the meeting. The golden retriever, which Ford rescued from a shelter as a 2-year-old, is a veteran of school searches. Ford said all of her dogs are tested for good behavior before being put to work, and must show no signs of aggression.

The dogs sit when they sense contraband, and the information is passed on to school officials for follow-up.

Ford has been in the canine detection business for nearly two decades, and started her own business seven years ago in the Central Valley town of Hilmar. She has worked with public and private schools throughout the region.

She said she would charge $350 for a full day of service and would provide 13 visits before June 15.